It seems that no matter how busy I get I can’t resist a good contest. Especially one with a good prompt. And Susanna Leonard Hill knows how to throw a contest. Her Halloweensie Contest is one of my favourites. The rules: write a Halloween story for kids using the words ghost, spider, and moon; must have plot and main character; max 100 words. She’s tough isn’t she?
I wasn’t sure if I’d have time to participate but once I read the rules… I hammered out a story in 24 hours! Done, thank you very much. But then I realized it was more concept piece than a story with a plot. So I rewrote to fit the rules. Then I decided to rewrite both versions en français which was just as hard as writing from scratch! And then I had to illustrate both versions. And don’t forget the fine-tuning… (Scroll all the way down for a craft!)
Without further ado, I give you my 83 word entry for Susanna’s 6th Annual Halloweensie Contest:
Where the Candy Went
Something snuck in my room.
Something creaked cross the floor.
Something ate all my candy and moaned out for more.
But as quick as a spider descends on it’s thread,
I flicked on the light and jumped out of my bed.
Then I growled at the ghost: “You should KNOCK and say PLEASE!”
so the ghost shimmered off on the frigid fall breeze.
I swear it’s the truth and I won’t change my tune
though there wasn’t a witness except for the moon.
I hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to hop on over to Susanna’s Blog to read some of the other entries. If you like writing with a deadline, you have until 11:59 PM EDT on Monday October 31st to submit your entry.
Here’s the translated version which doesn’t quite fit the rules and probably has meter issues because let’s face it – writing in your second language is hard.
Qui a Mangé les Bonbons?
Quelques chose a venu dans ma chambre hier soir.
Quelques chose a mangé mes bonbons dans le noir.
Je l’ai écouté dans le sombre de la nuit
et j’étais réveillé par le bruit.
Mais il est sorti quand j’ai quitté mon lit.
Je jure – c’est vrai toute ce que j’ai dit.
I really did have way too much fun with this didn’t I? I was invited to do story time at my son’s school and decided to read my poems and do a craft. I looked for ideas online but wanted something super fun that was also simple, cheap, and sugar-free and came up with this:
It was a huge hit with the kids and a few even asked if it was real when I showed them my sample. It sways inside its jar which is probably the coolest part.
Want To Make Your Own Pet Ghost?
Attach thread to a cotton ball (I used a needle to thread them in advance but a few kids pulled a small piece of cotton from the top to attach.)
Gently pull the cotton into the shape of a ghost.
Add eyes and mouth with markers.
Use the thread to hang the ghost inside a cup with a piece of tape.
Tape the two cups together & decorate. We used stickers, stamps, etc. If you make a small hole in the cup with a diaper pin or other sharp object you can attach the flag that way. Or you can just tape the label to the side.
Happy Halloween!
Marla Lesage 
This is a fantastically fun Halloween poem Marla! Well done!
Your drawings and story are endearing! And what a cute craft! Good luck!
Great story. Good luck!
I really like it! I thought he was going to catch mom sneaking in for a Three Musketeers. So, I was pleasantly surprised and scared by the real ghost!
If it were a true story it definitely would have been Mom. We have a real problem with that here.
Hi Marla,
You are so creative! I love how your poem in English and French didn’t translate directly. Instead they both were fun and rhymed!
The only French word I didn’t understand was ‘jure’
Love the drawings too. I always imagine Henri and Sheila! You have a couple of fortunate kids!
Jill
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Thanks Jill! When ai don’t feel like creating a new character I always fall back on the kids.
Marla,
What a great takeoff on the contest. I loved both the english and the french versions . You illustrations and the craft added as well. Keep being creative!
Nice use of the prompt words! Good luck.
Ahhhh. cute story and a lovely way for me to brush up on my high school French!
So that’s where the candy goes! Can I use this excuse? Bon chance!
Yes! & merci.
Simple and cute with great imagery. And a pet ghost craft is a great idea!
Charming illustrations and wonderful read-aloud quality to the story. Good luck!
I absolutely LOVE your illustrations, Marla…and also the activities you included. Best of luck with your lovely story…we are so lucky to have Susanna in our lives. 😉
Cute story and adorable illustrations! I’m especially impressed that you translated it into French and still made it rhyme. 🙂
I love it all, the bilingual story, the candy eating ghost, and the pet ghost craft…so creative!! In my house dad is the candy eating ghost…and he’s not even sneaky about it.
Ha! I try to be sneaky hut everyone knows.
I love it, addibg to my favs list and you have a new fan!👏
Love it! Sneaky ghosts will get you everytime.
Wonderful, enchanting story!
I do love your story. Children would enjoy it, as you found when you shared it with them. It’s rhyme and rhythm are perfect. I love your pet ghost activity. How creative!
Great story, Marla! You got it – character, plot, twist… and such cute illustrations! I love that your little MC claims that “something” ate all her candy… even though the only witness is the moon 🙂 Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Love it, Marla! Love that you translated it into French too…not an easy feat in rhyme!
Thank you!